Eight Opposition MPs Suspended from Lok Sabha for Throwing Papers, Congress Protests

In a dramatic turn of events during the Budget Session of Parliament, eight opposition MPs, including seven from the Congress party, were suspended from the Lok Sabha for allegedly throwing papers towards the Speaker’s chair. The suspension followed repeated disruptions in the House, prompting a strong response from the Chair.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon around 3 PM when proceedings resumed after multiple adjournments. Opposition MPs reportedly tossed pieces of paper near the Speaker’s seat during discussions on the motion of thanks to the President’s address. The Speaker identified the MPs for defying the Chair and disrupting parliamentary decorum.

The suspended MPs are:

• Gurdeep Singh Aujla (Congress)
• Manickam Tagore (Congress)
• Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (Congress)
• Kiran Kumar Reddy (Congress)
• Hebi Eden (Congress)
• Dean Kuriakose (Congress)
• Prashant Padole (Congress)
• S. Venkatesan (CPI-M)

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion for suspension, citing contempt of the House and conduct that undermined the dignity of the Chair. The motion was passed unanimously, and the House proceedings were adjourned for the day.

The protest was triggered after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to raise issues regarding unpublished memoirs of former Army Chief M.M. Naravane, which he said were linked to national security concerns involving China and Pakistan. Opposition MPs were reportedly frustrated as Rahul Gandhi was not granted permission to speak, leading to slogans and paper-throwing near the Speaker’s podium. Rahul Gandhi later placed a verified article based on Naravane’s memoirs on the Table of the House.

The suspension was issued under Rule 374(2) of the Lok Sabha Rules, covering the remainder of the current session.